FCC to open probe into NBC-parent Comcast over promotion of DEI programs

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr told NBC News-parent Comcast it is opening a probe into the company's promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

"The FCC will be taking fresh action to ensure that every entity the FCC regulates complies with the civil rights protections enshrined in the Communications Act... including by shutting down any programs that promote invidious forms of DEI discrimination," the letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said.

Comcast confirmed it had received an FCC inquiry and will cooperate and answer questions. "For decades, our company has been built on a foundation of integrity and respect for all of our employees and customers," the company said in a statement.

Carr said he was opening the probe beginning with Comcast and NBC because there is "substantial evidence that your companies are still engaging in the promotion of DEI" and that Comcast covers numerous sectors regulated by the FCC including cable, high-speed internet, broadcast TV stations and wireless offerings.

Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized Carr's investigation into Comcast. "Stoking partisan culture wars is not the FCC’s job. It is time we return to our core mission – closing the digital divide, fostering innovation, and protecting consumers" she said.

Shortly after taking office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump -- who designated Carr as chair -- issued sweeping executive orders to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the United States and pressured the private sector to join the initiative.

Carr is investigating numerous media companies.

The FCC is reviewing whether a CBS News "60 Minutes" interview with then Vice President Kamala Harris violates "news distortion" rules. Though the agency is prohibited from censorship or infringing the First Amendment rights of media, broadcasters cannot intentionally distort the news.

Last week, the FCC made public the transcript and full video of the interview as part of its probe. Paramount's CBS said the transcripts show "the 60 Minutes broadcast was not doctored or deceitful."

In January, Carr reinstated complaints about how Walt Disney's ABC News moderated the pre-election TV debate between then-President Joe Biden and Trump, as well as a complaint about NBC letting Harris appear on "Saturday Night Live" before the election.

The FCC, an independent federal agency, issues eight-year licenses to individual broadcast stations, not networks.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)

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